Kings’ three-point defense leaky in 2 OT loss to Charlotte

The Sacramento Bee's Kings insider Jason Jones gives his three takeaways after the Kings lose to the Hornets in double overtime: turnovers, lack of second-chance points and perimeter defense troubles.
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The Sacramento Bee's Kings insider Jason Jones gives his three takeaways after the Kings lose to the Hornets in double overtime: turnovers, lack of second-chance points and perimeter defense troubles.
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Player of the game:Troy Daniels came off the bench to shoot 8-for-11 from three-point range and finish with a career-high 28 points as the Charlotte Hornets ended the Kings’ season-long five-game winning streak with a 129-128 double-overtime win Monday night at Sleep Train Arena.Daniels drilled the game-winner from 27 feet out with nine seconds to play in the second overtime. That was enough to overcome DeMarcus Cousins who scored a career and Sacramento-era high 56 points before fouling out in the second overtime.

Turning point: When Cousins fouled out, the Kings lost their primary offensive threat. It didn’t help that Rudy Gay (eye) could not finish the game, either.

X-factor:The Kings’ leaky three-point defense was a problem. Charlotte made a franchise-record 20 in 44 attempts. That helped Charlotte overcome a 17-point first-half deficit and the Kings had to rally to force both overtimes.

Records:Kings 20-24, Hornets 22-23

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Key injuries: Gay returned to the lineup after missing two games with a left heel contusion. He left the game in the second overtime after being scratched in the left eye by Kemba Walker while attempting a three-point shot.

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